TSX flat as trade concerns rise after U.S. law on Hong Kong

Canada’s main stock index was trading flat on Thursday, as U.S.-China trade jitters resurfaced after U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law a bill supporting protesters in Hong Kong, drawing sharp rebuke from Beijing.

* At 10:51 a.m. ET (1551 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index was up just 2.22 points, or 0.01%, at 17,102.79.

* The country’s current account deficit widened to C$9.86 billion ($7.42 billion) in the third quarter from a revised C$6.74 billion deficit in the second quarter, on a higher deficit on goods.

* The energy sector dropped 0.2%, as U.S. crude prices were down 0.3% a barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.8%.

* The industrials sector fell 0.2%.

* The materials sector, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 0.4% as gold futures rose 0.1% to $1,454.7 an ounce.

* On the TSX, 120 issues were higher, while 101 issues declined for a 1.19-to-1 ratio favoring gainers, with 20.08 million shares traded.

* The largest percentage gainers on the TSX were Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth Co, which jumped 4% and 3.4%, respectively.

* Ballard Power fell 2.2%, the most on the TSX, while the second biggest decliner was Meg Energy Corp, down 2%.